West Head Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

10 mins

238 m Return

18 m

Easy track

This walk is all about the stunning views from the edge of West Head. After the lovely drive through the bushland along the West Head Rd you will love this gentle stroll down to what feels like the edge of the earth. There are great views across the Pittwater to Barenjoey Head as well as across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. You will find plenty of information signs explaining some of the rich histories of the area, including about the gun emplacements that were built into the side of the cliffs here to protect from enemy ship invasion. Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch and visiting Resolute picnic ground (and toilets) about 900m back along the road.

(0km) End of West Head Rd → Lion Island View

50 m

1 mins

-5m Very easy

From the end of West Head Rd (Ku-Ring-Gai Chase)

[Parking Accessible]

, this walk follows the flat sandstone paved path around the metal bollard[1], past the large 'West Head Lookout'[2] sign, ignoring the 'West Head Army Track'[3]. After about 20m the path widens significantly[4] and this walk continues gently downhill towards the views to come to the Lion Island viewing area[5] (at the top of set of steps[6]) with 4 seats

[Seat]

, marked with a series of 'West Head Battery' signs[7].

Lion Island View

The upper viewing platform at West Head Lookout provides great views framed by trees to Lion Island[8] and surrounding waterways. There are a few bench seats

[Seat]

and some information signs about the 'West Head Battery'[9]. A lovely spot among the eucalypt and angophora forest[10].

(0km) Lion Island View → West Head Lookout

30 m

1 mins

-5m Easy track

Continue straight: From the viewing area, this walk heads towards the main water views down the 7 sandstone stone steps[11] (each 10cm high). At the bottom of the steps, this walk leads past the 'Pacific Highway' information sign[12] and continues down the path for another 20m to come to the main West Head Lookout area[13][14]. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .

(0km) Lion Island View → West Head Lookout

70 m

2 mins

-7m Easy track

Turn right: From the Lion Island viewing area[15], this walk heads directly away from the face of the 'West Head Battery' signs[16], past the top of the steps (initially keeping the steps to the left[17]). The walk soon veers left (at the seats) and follows the narrow (1.3m wide) stone path[18] as it gently winds downhill for about 40m to come to some more bench seats

[Seat]

[19] at the southern edge of the main West Head Lookout. From here the walk veers left and heads along the wide stone lookout area[20], passing some more seats

[Seat]

and information signs[21][22][23][24] coming to a panoramic photo sign naming the key view points[25].

West Head Lookout

West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area[26] with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs[27][28][29][30][31]. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island[32] to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland[33] and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats

[Seat]

and a low (50cm[34]) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.

Maps for the West Head Lookout walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the West Head Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the West Head Lookout

Accessibility Profile

This page is designed to give you a sense of the facilities that help improve access for people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. See tracknotes and map for navigation, point of interest and other information. See the Accessibility Details below for specific information about each facility.

Slope: This walk gently slopes down towards the lookout and is generally less than 1:12 steep (uphill on the return). There is a 10m section that is 2.4:12 steep.

Surface: This walk follows sandstone paved path and areas. The path is 1.3m for about half the walk but much wider in some places.

Parking: There is 1 designated accessible parking area on this walk.

Seats: There are 3 seats (including picnic tables) on this walk. They are on average 40m apart, with a maximum gap of 50m.

Accessibility Details

1 Parking Accessible (0m)

There are about 15 car parking bays in the area including one signposted mobiilty parking bay. The parking area is ashphalt, the mobility bay is 2.5m wide and 7m long.

2 Seat (39m)

A series of 4 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.

3 Seat (89m)

A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.

4 Seat (109m)

A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 28cm deep, 2.1m wide, a 38cm back rest and no armrest.

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	238 m
		Time	10 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 120m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 70m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 45m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 120m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 120m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 120m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 120m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the West Head Lookout walk.

Koolewong Track

810 m Circuit, 30 mins

Probably the best word to describe this walk is 'cute'. The circuit walk starts with a few steep steps, but soon flattens out, following a well-defined track through an open forest, via some natural sandstone sculptures. The lookout is notable for wonderful views to Patonga, Lion Island and out thr

Total climbing: 32m

Moderate track

Red Hands Cave

403 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a short walk down to Red Hands Cave from the Resolute Picnic Area. The walk loops from the picnic area through the heath and down to the overhang of the cave. The Aboriginal rock art is quite faded but is estimated to be over 2000 years old. This makes for an interesting historic walk, great

Total climbing: 9m

Moderate track

Aboriginal Heritage Track

1.1 km Circuit, 45 mins

The Aboriginal Heritage Track takes in one of the most popular rock art sites in Ku-ring-gai National Park, and an amazing Aboriginal engraving site. The walk leads out from Resolute Picnic Area to pass by the caves and then continues down the management trail to the engravings. The walk then retur

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate track

Resolute Track

3.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The Resolute Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and Resolute Beach. The return-style walk starts from Resolute picnic area and heads down to Resolute Beach, passing a Red Hands Cave and an Aboriginal engraving site. The Resolute Track uses manage

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Headland track (Resolute track)

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to see two major Aboriginal sites and up to three of Ku-ring-gai Chase's beaches. The circuit walk visits Red Hands Cave and some historic engravings, in addition to enjoying expansive views over Pittwater, with Barrenjoey Headland as a feature. The walk includes Resolute an

Total climbing: 243m

Hard track

West Head Lookout Track

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

From Resolute Picnic Area, this walk heads out to West Head Lookout, with magnificent views across the Hawkesbury River and Lion Island. The track is a direct route which passes through classic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park bushland. This walk offers a great way to avoid competing for parking at W

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Flint and Steel Beach and bay loop

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This track creates a loop between Flint and Steel Beach and Bay by traversing the headland between them. The walk explores Flint and Steel Beach and the McGaw ruins, while providing scenic views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island.

Total climbing: 227m

Very experienced only

Flint and Steel track

2.1 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk follows a scenic route to the secluded Flint and Steel Beach, which provides views across the Hawkesbury River to landmarks such as Lion Island, Patonga and Box Head. The walk passes through palm, pine and grass tree forests. There is a great diversity of flora and some fantastic sandston

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate track

Flint and Steel Bay (to White Horse Beach)

1.9 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a nice walk to White Horse Beach on Flint and Steel Bay. The return-style walk passes McGaw's ruins and and the old water catchment. From White Horse Beach, there are scenic views across the Hawkesbury River. The ruins are a nice addition to the walk - although overgrown, they add a touch o

Total climbing: 159m

Hard track

Barrenjoey Headland Walk

2.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a fantastic walk for those wanting a great walk on Sydney's northern beaches. Features of this track include views of the central coast, Palm Beach and the South Pacific Ocean, and historic remnants of old lighthouses. Currently some track repairs are underway, however once completed this wa

Total climbing: 110m

Hard track

Mackerel Beach Community

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short walk is a great way to see the beautiful Mackerel Beach and community. After a short ferry ride from Palm Beach, the walk heads up the grassed streets of Mackerel, leading to the lagoon. The track is mainly sandy beach or grass stretches, with the area behind the lagoon winding through a

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

Mackerel Beach and Resolute Loop

5.4 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is another great walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, accessed by ferry. From the Mackerel Beach wharf, this walk uses the Resolute Loop track to round the headland, enjoying a few secluded beaches and excellent, historic Aboriginal sites. This walk features Mackerel Beach and communit

Total climbing: 384m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The West Head Lookout walk starts and ends at the End of West Head Rd (gps: -33.578828, 151.30857)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Park Information

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,

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